2008 National Bike Summit
Summit Generates National Attention
Summit fever is rising! We are just hours away from the kick off of our biggest ever National Bike Summit – we passed 500 participants over the weekend – and the excitement is growing. The Summit is the hook for Neil Peirce’s latest syndicated column for the Washington Post Writers’ Group, (click here to read it) and USA Today of February 29 (click here) noted the National Bike Summit. We’ve got company presidents, national press, strong local advocates—and an impressive array of speakers.
There’s still time to register, although just barely, as the whole event starts tomorrow evening. Join us as we climb Capitol Hill to make America better for bicycling.
If you REALLY Can’t Make it Washington… …don’t worry, you can still be a part of the Summit. Visit the League’s Web site on Thursday morning to see how you can be an important part of the Summit Capitol Hill day. We want the 500 bicyclists up on the Hill to hear your voice right behind them as they walk in to their meetings with Members of Congress and their staff.
Summit Plus!
In addition to the festivities of the National Bike Summit—from the opening dinner with National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and David Jones, Jr., Chairman of Humana’s Board of Directors to the famous politicians at the closing reception on Capitol Hill—there are many events for cyclists. The League of American Bicyclists is holding our annual meeting on Wednesday evening, with two authors—Bob Mionske and J. Harry Wray—speaking and signing books. Swing by for a free drink, good eats, and an update on how the League is doing in 2008—even non-Summit attendees are welcome.
There is also a League board meeting on Tuesday, March 4 from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in room Meridian C at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in downtown Washington, D.C. Open to all!
There are post-Summit evening events hosted by International Mountain Bicycling Association, Thunderhead Alliance, and Bikes Belong. For more information on the Summit, and events going on in conjunction with it, click here for the full agenda.
With Help from Our Friends ...
We’re all pedal powered when it comes to getting around, but the National Bike Summit is also sponsor powered. From the generous Titanium-level sponsorship of Bikes Belong to the many Bamboo-level sponsors, the National Bike Summit thrives on generous sponsorships from dedicated companies. Thanks to: Bikes Belong for their continued generous support of the Summit and their advocacy leadership; the International Mountain Bicycling Association and the more than 60 delegates they are bringing to Washington; AARP, major sponsors for the first time; the National Bicycle Dealers Association, who also helped 25 dealers attend the Summit with scholarships; Planet Bike, sponsoring the Pedicabs again; Adventure Cycling Association, back for the eighth straight year; Clear Channel Outdoor, bringing the smart bike system to Washington DC; Interbike, hosts of the biggest bicycle trade show you can imagine; the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, who provide homestays, bike ride routes and lots of volunteer help each year; the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials, Alta Planning + Design, Bike Lid Systems, Dero Bike Racks, National Center for Safe Routes to School, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Quality Bicycle Products, Saris Cycling Group, Techna-Graphics, Inc. and Thunderhead Alliance. Special thanks to Peace Coffee, who provided all Summit attendees with their very own bag of Heavy Pedal Roast coffee.
Embracing the Last Mile
Bike From the Airport to the Summit!
Are you interested in going car-free on your National Bike Summit trip to Washington D.C.? Let’s show Washington how we embrace “the last mile” on our bikes. Join a group of Summit participants, including some members of the League Board, for a ride from Reagan National Airport to the site of the Summit. The ride will start at 12 p.m. on March 4. All bike riders are encouraged and welcome. If your plans already have you in Washington before noon on Tuesday, ride out to the Airport and join us: it is just 3.5 miles from the Reagan International Trade Center. Bike Friday is sponsoring and organizing this ride, so interested riders should contact Paul Adkins at Bike Friday for more on logistics.
